Wayward seal makes it way far up Maine river

WATERVILLE, Maine — A wayward seal that made its way nearly 50 miles upriver from the ocean is in recovery after being rescued from a parking lot in Waterville.

A biologist with the Department of Marine Resources was called after the small seal was discovered in the parking lot of the Hathaway Building along the shore of the Kennebec River around 5 p.m. Friday. The animal’s mouth was bleeding and it appeared to be thinner than it should be for 5 or 6 months old.

The seal apparently made its way up the Kennebec River to Waterville, which is about 50 miles from where the river flows into the ocean.

Biologist Lynn Doughty said it’s unusual but not unheard of to see seals travel inland from the coast.

The seal was taken to the University of New England marine animal rehabilitation center in Biddeford, where it will be treated before being released into the ocean.